‘If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have made it’: Brixton chef dedicates Young MasterChef win to family

A budding 22-year-old chef from Brixton has been named winner of Young MasterChef and has dedicated his success to his family.

Famara Kurang, from Brixton Hill, took home the trophy following the series two final which aired on BBC Three last night.

Mr Kurang said: “It was an experience to even get to that stage. It was a lot emotionally – I’m almost speechless – but we experienced so much.”

The final episode saw Mr Kurang battle fellow cooks Sheryl Teya and Lewis Gibson.

But it was the parts apprentice who made it over the finish line, with a winning meal of chicken yassa – a dish originally from Senegal – and sticky toffee pudding with a creamy glaze and popcorn.

In an unexpected twist, the finalists’ families were brought into the kitchen to give some last words of encouragement.

Mr Kurang said: “It was very wholesome having everyone’s families there – it was the best part.

“Growing up my mum would make so much food which I’m so grateful for.

“When I was a teenager she was making food from all different cultures – it was such a variety and it really expanded my palette. As she ventured into trying new things I was able to do the same.

“If it wasn’t for my family I wouldn’t have made it.”

Mr Kurang said he started cooking during lockdown, to prepare himself for moving out of his family home.

Last night he watched the episode alongside family and friends.

He said: “They all responded so positively. Watching it yesterday I saw a few clips of my aunt and she was smiling from ear to ear.

“I had watched it before them on iPlayer and thought they all looked amazing – ever since people keep telling me how stunning my family are.”

Throughout the BBC Three series, the young chef’s pause their day jobs to put their cooking skills to the test.

Now back at work at Mercedes Benz in Bromley, Mr Kurang said he will see his internship through to the end but will keep posting recipes and cooking content on his social media.

He said: “When I came back to work after winning I got such a warm welcome, people were clapping and congratulating me, I was getting hugs and handshakes 

“Just seeing that reaction made me feel amazing – that people had been inspired by me.”

Looking to the future, Mr Kurang said he has a few “plans in the works” which he is excited to see develop over the coming years.

Pictured top: Famara Kurang with his trophy for young MasterChef series two (Picture: Shine TV/BBC)